The Sling Is The Thing

by
posted on March 19, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
cb315b_75c1222f127348f8a56e554aeb452d72jpg_srz_400_300_75_22_050_120_000_jpg_srz.jpeg

In the course of setting up numerous rifles, I’ve found that the choice of sling can be a critical one-and one that should be complementary in a number of ways. A good sling can be an invaluable aid to accurate shooting in the field, but a bad one is nearly useless.

As far as appropriateness to the platform, a thick, stiff leather “cobra” style probably isn’t a good, or necessary, fit on a superlight rifle. By the same token a thin 1” nylon strap likely won’t feel all that great on a dangerous game rifle. My own rule of thumb is to use 1” slings on rifles weighing around 7 lbs. or less and 1¼” slings on those that are heavier. High-quality leather, such as those from Turner Sadlery for service or precision rifles, or nylon, such as those from The Wilderness, are hard to beat.

Other considerations are format-Ching sling style, Rhodesian sling style (check out Andy's Leather), military style or simple carry strap style-and fittings; HK-style snap hooks, mash hooks, push-buttons or conventional QD studs. All can affect a rifle build or the decision as to which sling to buy, particularly if the fittings are permanently attached. By the way, another great one to consider is Brownells Latigo sling-just do youself a favor and order the model with pre-installed swivels!

Latest

FN 15 Guardian
FN 15 Guardian

Review: FN 15 Guardian

FN America has sought to bring its legendary quality and reliability to an AR-15 that lists for just $999, and we believe that it has done this well with its 15 Guardian carbine.

Springfield Armory Hellcat Now Available In .380 ACP

Despite the extensive number of Hellcat models in its lineup, Springfield Armory has only offered the pistol in one chambering, 9 mm Luger, until now. The .380 ACP model offers similar capabilities with softer recoil.

Arms Of The Mail Guard Marines

While difficult to imagine today, brazen armed thefts of the U.S. Mail in the 1920s became all too common and beyond the abilities of mail personnel to handle. Enter the U.S. Marines—armed to the teeth.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 13, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Editor’s Choice: Trijicon MRO SD

As can be sussed out from its name, the Miniature Rifle Optic (MRO) is a sealed reflex sight developed by Trijicon for use aboard carbines and rifles to facilitate lightning-quick target acquisition and smooth transitions between multiple targets.

Preview: MAC 9 DS Duty

Military Armament Corp. (MAC) introduced an affordable 2011-style pistol in 2024 with its MAC 9 DS.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.